January 17, 2011

Heavy summer rains across South Africa have caused severe damage to agricultural areas and destroyed scores of households. The worst hit province is Northern Cape followed by North West.

Kwazulu-Natal have reported 39 deaths thus far due to flooding and lightning

Agricultural Minster Tina Joemat-Pettersson was distressed on January 16 after a flight over flooded agricultural areas along the Vaal River in the Northern Cape and Northwest Province.

"I am devastated," she told the South African Press Association in a telephonic interview after a flight over around the flood-hit areas in Douglas, Prieska and Warrenton in Northern Cape and Christiana in North West to look at the damage caused by the floods.

It was estimated that 20 000 hectares of agricultural fields were under water.

She said the government would also look at social relief for the poor and farm workers.

Due to the huge agricultural area flooded, there were also concerns about the knock-on effect of threatening higher food prices later on, which may cause inflation to rise. However, she said that a full assessment could only be made once the water levels had dropped.

Joemat-Pettersson said there was also the threat that many farm workers would be displaced because many farmers could be ruined due to the flooding.

Sapa reported that the Orange River also burst its banks and food parcels had to be delivered towards Pofadder, with several rescue operations taking place as roads flooded.

More rain has been predicted by the South African Weather Service across large parts of the country.